In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Tait Duryea, a seasoned airline pilot turned real estate investor and the founder of Turbine Capital. We explore how he’s helping fellow pilots and high-income professionals break free from the paycheck-to-paycheck grind by building generational wealth through alternative investments. Tait unpacks why he launched a private equity firm tailored for pilots, how his team scouts high-quality operators across diverse asset classes,...
Jun 25, 2025•31 min•Ep. 513
In this episode of The Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, we’re sitting down again with Leo Kanell, founder of Seven Figures Funding, for a powerful masterclass on how to strategically access business credit and funding—even if you’re just getting started. Leo breaks down how real estate investors and entrepreneurs can use personal and business credit the right way to unlock capital, avoid common pitfalls, and scale faster. From building credit through a brand-new LLC to leveraging business cards ...
Jun 18, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 512
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by negotiation expert Tom Zeeb, and we’re diving straight into the skills that make or break deals. From his near-death experience in 2001 to closing hundreds of transactions, Tom shares the real-world tools and mindset shifts that helped him go from broke to building financial freedom through real estate. We talk about the art of negotiation, how to create true confidence on calls, and the three simple tactics that can instantly transform your seller conversat...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 511
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Axel Meierhoefer—Air Force veteran, real estate investor, mentor, and the founder of the Ideal Wealth Grower system. Axel shares how he transitioned from corporate life to full-time real estate investor, scaling a portfolio across multiple states and countries while helping others achieve true time freedom. We dive deep into remote investing strategies, mindset shifts required to lead your real estate empire like a true CEO, and creative financing idea...
Jun 04, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 510
In this mid-year solo episode, I’m getting real with you—no guests, no fluff. Just a straight talk on why you might be the one holding yourself back in real estate right now. It’s not the market. It’s not the economy. It’s not the tools. It’s how you’re thinking, what you’re prioritizing, and whether or not you’re actually committed to your escape plan. I unpack why now—yes, now—is one of the best times I’ve seen in my 33+ years in the business to get started in creative real estate. And I chall...
May 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 509
On this week’s episode, I sit down with Thomas Castelli, real estate-focused CPA and partner at Hall CPA, to dive deep into real, practical tax strategies that can save investors thousands. If you’ve ever wondered whether your CPA is leaving money on the table, this episode will confirm your suspicion and give you the tools to fix it. Thomas shares eye-opening stories of tax returns gone wrong, the truth behind cost segregation and depreciation, and how strategic planning done proactively can un...
May 21, 2025•29 min•Ep. 508
In this high-impact episode, I sit down with Damon Remy, the visionary behind REI BlackBook, to dive deep into the real-world application of AI, automation, and CRM systems for real estate investors. We go far beyond the buzzwords and get into the trenches—how to actually use AI to find better deals, filter out tire kickers, and close more transactions with fewer headaches. Damon breaks down the 3 most powerful ways to integrate AI into your business today, why a CRM is your “central source of t...
May 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 507
What separates those who just dabble in real estate from those who build real freedom? After a decade in the business, coaching thousands of students, and scaling my own portfolio—I can tell you this: success isn’t about talent. It’s about traits. In today’s solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 9 traits that our most successful associates, apprentices, and real estate partners demonstrate every day. These traits aren’t flashy. They’re foundational. And they’ll change the way you ope...
May 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 506
In this episode, I sit down with Matt Theriault, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, real estate investor, the CEO of Epic Real Estate and host of the Epic Real Estate Investing Podcast. Matt shares how he went from losing everything in the music industry to rebuilding his life and fortune through creative real estate strategies—without relying on his own credit or cash. We dig into his journey through financial hardship, how he found real estate after a devastating pivot, why seller financing...
Apr 30, 2025•39 min•Ep. 505
In this FamilyCast episode, I’m joined by Tim and Sandra Smith, a power couple from upstate New York balancing a demanding W-2, medical challenges, and real estate success. Tim and Sandra share their journey from doing deals the traditional way to successfully closing their first creative financing deal with the Wicked Smart® community despite all the life chaos happening behind the scenes. We talk about the systems that helped them close the deal, how they sourced a buyer using our in-house pla...
Apr 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 504
In this special FamilyCast episode, I sit down with David Albin, a high-performing member of our Wicked Smart® community who just closed his first creative real estate deal—while juggling a demanding W-2 job and family life. David brings a unique background to the table: 26 years in the military, 25 years in corporate accounting, and now he’s diving head-first into real estate investing using creative financing. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I actually do this while working full time?” or “What ...
Apr 16, 2025•38 min•Ep. 503
In this deeply inspiring and value-packed episode, I reconnect with my good friend and real estate powerhouse Dwan Bent-Twyford. Known as the Queen of Short Sales, Dwan returns to the show with a remarkable update that goes way beyond deals and numbers. Since her last appearance on Episode 213, she’s navigated one of the most challenging seasons of her life—supporting her husband through a rare blood disorder and a two-year recovery inside a highly controlled environment. But as you’ll hear, Dwa...
Apr 09, 2025•42 min•Ep. 502
In this week’s masterclass, we’re bringing back a powerhouse guest, Dustin Heiner. Dustin went from government employee to successfully unemployed by building a real estate business that runs without him and he’s on a mission to help a million people do the same. We talk about scaling a rental empire, shifting your mindset, busting through excuses, and most importantly — creating a business that gives you freedom. If you’re still on the fence about real estate, coaching, or taking the next step,...
Apr 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 501
This episode is a special one, Wicked Smart listeners—episode 500! And to mark the occasion, we’re flipping the script. I step into the hot seat while three of our top Wicked Smart Coaches—Russell Ham, Mike Makredes, and Rick Abbiati—take over and put me on the spot with questions that dig deep into the journey, the lessons, and the long game of building a creative real estate business.We cover everything from how I’d start over today, to managing market shifts, scaling with the right hires, and...
Mar 26, 2025•40 min•Ep. 500
Wicked Smart listeners, get ready for an insightful conversation on scaling your business the smart way. In this episode, I sit down with Solomon Thimothy , an entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in growth marketing. As the founder of OneIMS and co-founder of ClickX , Solomon has helped businesses overcome growth plateaus and achieve measurable, sustainable success. We discuss the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face when trying to scale, the key mindset shifts needed to break th...
Mar 19, 2025•31 min•Ep. 499
Ever wondered how to go from flipping houses to developing entire communities? In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Cobb, a former medical sales rep turned real estate developer managing $20M+ in new home construction annually. Brandon shares how he pivoted from single-family deals to large-scale land development, the risks he took to go all-in, and how he creates value before even breaking ground. We’ll break down how to identify prime land, navigate zoning approvals, and follow institution...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 498
In this episode of Smart Real Estate Coach, we’re sitting down with Dr. Allen Lomax, a Ph.D. in Organizational Systems Psychology and real estate investor. Allen shares how he transitioned from academia to real estate, overcame the 2008 market crash, and built a system to turn low-performing investments into high-yield, recession-resistant assets. Allen highlights the limitations of stocks and bonds, emphasizing private placements, multifamily syndications, and mobile home parks for better retur...
Mar 05, 2025•31 min•Ep. 497
Ever wondered how to break into U.S. real estate investing—even if you’re based in another country? This week, I sit down with Glen Sutherland, a Canadian investor who successfully scaled his real estate business by expanding into the U.S. Glen shares the advantages of investing across borders, including access to creative financing strategies, long-term mortgages, and public data that makes deal sourcing easier. We dive into the step-by-step process of setting up a remote investing operation, f...
Feb 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 496
In this episode of Smart Real Estate Coach, you’ll hear from Michael Blank, a multifamily investing expert, bestselling author, and CEO of Nighthawk Equity. With a $300 million+ portfolio and a track record of helping students acquire over 40,000 multifamily units, Michael shares his journey from tech entrepreneur to real estate mogul. He opens up about the lessons learned from a failed restaurant venture and why multifamily investing is the fastest path to financial freedom. Discover how to bre...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 495
In this episode of Smart Real Estate Coach, Shaun Farr, President of Landvoice, shares how data-driven lead generation is transforming real estate investing. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped investors and agents secure high-quality, off-market deals before they hit the mainstream. We discuss how expired listings, FSBOs, and pre-foreclosures provide an edge in today’s low-inventory market, and why economic shifts make now the time for smart investors to take action. If you’re look...
Feb 12, 2025•38 min•Ep. 494
In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I sit down with Brett Riggins, founder of Connect Homebuyers and Physician Wealth Systems. Brett has navigated over $20 million in real estate transactions and weathered multiple market cycles. We explore the mindset shifts behind his success, lessons from wins and failures, and how he helps physicians and high-income earners build wealth through turnkey real estate investments. Brett shares insights on the power of the right connections, o...
Feb 05, 2025•32 min•Ep. 493
In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, we’re chatting with Andrei Mincov, founder and CEO of Trademark Factory, about why trademarking should be a top priority for entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, and small business owners like you. Andrei shares essential insights on when and how to trademark, the risks you face if you don’t secure your intellectual property, and actionable steps you can take to avoid costly litigation. You’ll also learn the critical difference between...
Jan 29, 2025•29 min•Ep. 492
In this compelling episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, you’ll hear from Jamie Bateman, a seasoned mortgage note investor and host of the From Adversity to Abundance podcast. Jamie shares how he transitioned from being an Army officer and W-2 employee to becoming a full-time entrepreneur in the mortgage note investment space. He’ll guide you through the nuances of active versus passive investing, explain why building relationships is crucial in this niche market, and offer tips on man...
Jan 22, 2025•29 min•Ep. 491
In this inspiring episode of Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, we’re sitting down again with Rick Abbiati, a certified coach and high-six member of the Wicked Smart community. Rick shares his incredible journey to achieving financial independence through creative real estate investing. With over $1 million in total three-payday profits and a thriving coaching practice, Rick reflects on the strategies, mindset, and discipline that helped him build a lucrative portfolio in under three years. Whethe...
Jan 15, 2025•20 min•Ep. 490
In this impactful episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, we welcome Adam Carroll, a financial literacy advocate and the creator of the Shred Method back to the show. Adam shares his expertise on reshaping financial habits, building wealth, and achieving debt freedom through a systematic cash flow approach. We discuss the pitfalls of traditional money management, the importance of rethinking your relationship with debt, and how the Shred Method can save you tens of thousands of dollars i...
Jan 08, 2025•38 min•Ep. 489
In this solo episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I’m kicking off the new year with actionable advice to help you set yourself up for success in 2025. I’ll walk you through the importance of conducting a “gut check” to evaluate where you are versus where you want to be, share insights on return on investment (ROI) and return on experience (ROE), and explain why creative real estate is your best strategy in today’s uncertain market. I’ll also highlight exciting opportunities like the A...
Jan 01, 2025•26 min•Ep. 488
In this special year-end episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, hosts Chris Prefontaine and Zach Beach take a reflective, unscripted look back at 2024, exploring the key trends and shifts in the real estate market. They discuss how high interest rates have shaped the industry, the surge in creative financing, and the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing economic landscape. Chris and Zach also introduce innovative programs like the Apprentice Program and In the Trenches Bootcam...
Dec 25, 2024•38 min•Ep. 487
Welcome, Wicked Smart listeners! In this episode, I sit down with the multifaceted real estate expert, Derek Dombeck , to explore the vast potential of creative deal structuring in today’s market. Derek brings over 20 years of experience in the real estate world, covering everything from wholesaling and flipping to landlord lending and managing complex transactions. Together, we dive into some of his most unique and profitable deals of 2024 and discuss the mindset needed to thrive in an ever-evo...
Dec 18, 2024•32 min•Ep. 486
In this engaging episode, we’re sitting down with Ed Rush, a former Marine Corps fighter pilot, speaker, and bestselling author of God Talks. Ed takes us on his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, showing how mindset, discipline, and spiritual connection can transform your life and business. Drawing from his experience as a fighter pilot and business strategist, Ed shares practical ways you can align your mindset and skillset to overcome mental blocks, gain clarity, and achieve la...
Dec 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 485
In this episode, we’re breaking down how real estate investors and realtors can take their businesses to the next level by mastering creative real estate strategies. Whether it’s structuring win-win deals, solving tough seller situations, or expanding your toolbox, learning creative real estate opens up endless opportunities. Tune in to discover how these strategies can help you close more deals, serve more clients, and grow your real estate business faster! Key Talking Points of the Episode 00:...
Dec 04, 2024•18 min•Ep. 484